Lead Activities Specialist

Montage International; Bluffton (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Montage International in Bluffton, SC seeks a Lead Activities Specialist to oversee the Activities Department and mentor Attendants, delivering exceptional guest experiences across Duffy Boat Tours, cycling tours, architecture tours, archery, and naturalist programs.

You will lead onboarding and ongoing development, ensure safety, manage equipment, and drive new recreational offerings to enhance guest satisfaction and revenue.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in outdoor recreation, guiding, hospitality, tourism, or a related field.
• Experience leading tours, instructing activities, or training team members preferred.
• Strong passion for guest service and creating memorable experiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with managers, supervisors, and other resort departments.
• Assist management with scheduling, staffing recommendations, and operational planning for tours, activities, and special events.
• Excellent verbal communication, presentation, and instructional skills.
• Must be able to speak, read, and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace.
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred or ability to obtain certification within a designated timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate expert knowledge of Palmetto Bluff, the Lowcountry ecosystem, the May River estuary, Gullah Geechee culture and history, local wildlife, landscapes, and outdoor recreation practices.
• Serve as the lead guide for a variety of recreational activities including Duffy Boat Tours, cycling tours, architecture tours, archery instruction, support naturalist programs, and specialty experiences.
• Lead the onboarding, training, coaching, and development of Activities Attendants and Compass Associates.
• Ensure associates are properly trained and confident in leading tours, operating equipment, interacting with guests, and adhering to all safety standards.
• Assist, mentor, and train team members in guest service standards, safety procedures, activity operations, and equipment management.
• Lead ongoing development efforts to ensure team members are knowledgeable, confident, and capable of independently leading activities and tours.
• Assist with the daily operation, maintenance, and rental of recreational equipment.
• Provide exceptional service to members and guests by assisting with activity reservations, equipment rentals, equipment repairs, and operational needs.
• Research, develop, and implement new recreational programs and experiences that enhance the guest experience and generate revenue.
• Assist with the planning and execution of special events, holiday programming, children's activities, and year-round experiences.
• Ensure all activities are conducted safely and in accordance with company policies, procedures, and risk management standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional work environment.
• Act as a departmental leader by promoting teamwork, accountability, and Montage standards of excellence.
• Serve as a role model for service, professionalism, communication, and operational execution within the department.

Skills

Outdoor recreation

Guest service

Leadership

Communication

Training

Team mentoring

Tools

CPR/First Aid (certification)

Job description

Live Your Passion. Add Your Magic. At Montage International, we are doing something different, something exciting and it takes passionate people to bring our vision to life. We have built a culture that leads with the important notion we live by every day; do what you love. If this resonates with you, we look forward to receiving your application. We welcome applicants with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations as needed to our applicants. Please discuss with our hiring managers during our selection processes.

Lead Activities Specialist

The Lead Activities Specialist serves as a subject matter expert, lead guide, and mentor for the Activities Department. This position is responsible for delivering exceptional guest and member experiences while leading and supporting a variety of revenue-generating and recreational programs. The Lead Activities Specialist functions as the department's primary field trainer and guide, responsible for developing team members' knowledge, guiding techniques, safety awareness, and operational competencies across all recreational programs. This position trains and develops team members, ensures operational excellence, and serves as a primary guide for activities including Duffy Boat Tours, bike tours, architecture tours, archery programs, support naturalist experiences, and other outdoor recreational offerings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Demonstrate expert knowledge of Palmetto Bluff, the Lowcountry ecosystem, the May River estuary, Gullah Geechee culture and history, local wildlife, landscapes, and outdoor recreation practices.
• Serve as the lead guide for a variety of recreational activities including Duffy Boat Tours, cycling tours, architecture tours, archery instruction, support naturalist programs, and specialty experiences.
• Lead the onboarding, training, coaching, and development of Activities Attendants and Compass Associates.
• Ensure associates are properly trained and confident in leading tours, operating equipment, interacting with guests, and adhering to all safety standards.
• Assist, mentor, and train team members in guest service standards, safety procedures, activity operations, and equipment management.
• Lead ongoing development efforts to ensure team members are knowledgeable, confident, and capable of independently leading activities and tours.
• Assist with the daily operation, maintenance, and rental of recreational equipment.
• Provide exceptional service to members and guests by assisting with activity reservations, equipment rentals, equipment repairs, and operational needs.
• Research, develop, and implement new recreational programs and experiences that enhance the guest experience and generate revenue.
• Assist with the planning and execution of special events, holiday programming, children's activities, and year-round experiences.
• Ensure all activities are conducted safely and in accordance with company policies, procedures, and risk management standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional work environment.
• Act as a departmental leader by promoting teamwork, accountability, and Montage standards of excellence.
• Serve as a role model for service, professionalism, communication, and operational execution within the department.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in outdoor recreation, guiding, hospitality, tourism, or a related field.
• Previous experience leading tours, instructing activities, or training team members preferred.
• Strong passion for guest service and creating memorable experiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with managers, supervisors, and other resort departments.
• Assist management with scheduling, staffing recommendations, and operational planning for tours, activities, and special events.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, mentoring, and training abilities.
• Ability to research, develop, and implement new recreational programming.
• Excellent verbal communication, presentation, and instructional skills.
• Must be able to speak, read, and understand the primary language(s) used in the workplace.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and uphold Montage International service standards at all times.
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred or ability to obtain certification within a designated timeframe.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors with regular exposure to varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time, often up to 4 or more hours at a time.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Must be able to push, pull, and move equipment and carts weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, squat, and reach as necessary to perform activity setup, equipment handling, and operational duties.
• Must be capable of safely participating in and leading outdoor recreational activities.

In the United States we are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing. At Montage Hotels & Resorts and Pendry Hotels, we’re committed to delivering extraordinary, personalized and authentic experiences. How we get there is by empowering our associates to think creatively. Grow their talents. Encourage them to have fun. And allow them to follow their passion in creating moments guests will long remember. At Montage and Pendry, opportunities for career growth are bountiful, and training programs are open to those seeking advancement. We encourage all of our associates to continuously learn and grow. Working at Montage and Pendry is more than a job; it’s a way of life.